Fort Fun Families

I just finished dressing two of my children for spending time in the snow.

Spending time in the snow is the key phrase here.

If I dressed them up “warmly”, they’d have been back in a split second, peeling off clothes that got covered in snow which will then start melting all over my carpet as they run about crying while I chase them to help them get the offending clothing off.

I wanted to dress them so that they’d be able to stay out and enjoy the snow for a while - at least 10 minutes, lol.

Personally, I’d rather stay inside. And I do. But I remember being a kid, and I loved playing in the snow. I see that they enjoy it and I want to help them retain that feeling.

As I dressed them, one at a time (my daughter didn’t notice her dad and little brother were going outside until I finished getting her brother ready), I explained to them that the key to dressing for the snow was layering.

Okay, I know that a 5 year old and a 2 year old won’t really “get” this now, but as I repeat this over the days and years, it’ll become part of their subconscious … I can hope.

Having just sent my daughter out complete in her layers and waterproof outer clothing, I thought that there might be some people who weren’t really familiar with dressing for the snow. Hence this post.

So I found a great link with lots of information for you. It’s an easy read and easy to understand, with great tips on clothing and accessories for the weather.

The basics, from the article, are to dress in 3 layers.

I love their list of other important clothing items!

• Sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes from harmful solar radiation, the wind, and to keep ice pellets or snow from stinging your eyes. Remember bright sunlight reflecting off the snow can be just as bad as direct sunlight. Select goggles that allow for appropriate range of peripheral vision. Look for wide-angle frames or sport shields. Sunglasses and goggles also come in specific tints to help you see dips and bumps in the snow on a dull day.
• Hat or Cap for warmth (although it won’t provide protection). Make sure that the hat or cap can cover your ears. Some jackets have a useful hood tucked into the collar. You can lose a tremendous amount of body heat through your head: cover it, and your feet and hands will be warmer.
• Wear a helmet to protect your head and for warmth.
• Fleece neck gaiter or facemask to protect your face when it’s really cold.
• Gloves or mittens made of waterproof but breathable fabrics. Snowboarding gloves and mittens often have a reinforced palm and fingers to stand up to the wear caused by balancing on the snow. Some also have built in wrist guards. Long , elasticized wrist or strapping on cuffs to keep out snow is a good idea.
• Socks with flat seams and stretchy material that doesn’t wrinkle against your skin will minimize sharp pressure points against the foot. A thin liner socks (synthetic socks) covered by a thicker wool or pile socks or snowboard/ski socks works especially well. Avoid extremely bulky socks that can keep you from feeling connected to the ground, which is necessary for good control.
• Sunscreen should always be used to protect you from sunburn and chapping in cold winds. A lip balm will prevent your lips from cracking.

The snow has been coming down all day and I don’t see a break in sight. Dress yourself and your children right if you’re going to be spending any amount of time in the snow!